When the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented, we wanted to find out how our community was doing and did a survey amongst 100 entrepreneurs who lived in PPR areas. The survey showed that 77% of them felt mentally stressed out. We realise that this was heavily affected by the fear of getting the virus (28%), financial needs as many of them couldn’t work or run their businesses (27%), and over their children’s learning (15%).

With this, we knew that it was essential for us to address their needs rather than just doing things Business-As-Usual (BAU). We knew we had to first address their need for groceries and how they can cope with their current situation. Moreover, we knew that we couldn’t fish for them long term, empowering them to sustain themselves during this period is also essential.

We quickly started a Program Keusahawanan (PK) Alumni Facebook Group to empower our B40 entrepreneur community and a B40 women’s support WhatsApp group chat to provide this community with emotional well being modules. For each committed participation, we will then provide them grocery care packs to help them with food supplies through this difficult period. Throughout these 3 months, with the help of various partners like CIMB Islamic, CIMB Foundation, Canon, Takaful Malaysia and Impact Malaysia, we were able to deliver 639 care packs to more than 2,530 B40 family members.

To execute our programs, social media platforms were our go-to options as they were easily accessible for our community. For our entrepreneurs, we ran weekly classes that taught them to adapt to online selling and leveraging on existing delivery services. Following this, we too shared with them how they could run a WhatsApp business while giving a few tips on digital marketing and basic poster designing. Besides that, during the Ramadan month, we kickstarted the Kedai Kita Lah initiative to consolidate all meaningful businesses on one platform to allow people to support these small businesses.

As for our women support group, our team psychologist, Nelavathi Marimuthu, she planned out weekly emotional well being modules to help the women from different aspects such as emotional management, parenting strategy, developing self confidence and other related topics. For every session, almost 100% of the participants mentioned that they have found it beneficial and could practice what they learned in their daily lives to better cope with the current situation. Similarly, participants would receive care packs for participating as an encouragement for their fighting spirit to adapt to the new changes.

We have seen how our communities started to adapt and change. Our programs work and it is a sustainable way of empowering them to be sustainable. It’s been almost three months and our next step is to teach our communities to adapt to the new normal, to focus on Life after Covid-19 and that it’s possible to thrive even when things are difficult.

We are always looking for interested companies to partner us to run sustainable charitable programs. For partnership opportunities, do reach out to may.wong@taylors.edu.my.

On Merdeka Day, 500 people gathered at Taylor’s Lakeside Campus to make a difference! Our 3rd Taylor’s-CIMB Islamic Entrepreneurship Program (Program Keusahawanan) have come to a peak where last Saturday, it was the presentation day for our beneficiaries. It was the chance for them to receive business grants in the form of equipments, for their business development, in hopes to empower them to self-sustain independently.

After 6-8 weeks of grinding, business classes including goal setting, financial planning, marketing, branding, and mock presentations after mock presentations, our beneficiaries entered an arena of passionate judges to Business Pitch, but in our participant’s eyes, a ‘lions den’ of experienced judges! It is with great courage that they’ve brought themselves to this point!

Coming from an array of background, be it from the B40 communities or those who are Asnafs (people who are entitled to receive from from the Muslim community), Refugees, Differently-Abled or single parents, all 200 of them presented their business pitch to various judges.

Apart from that, our Mini Entrepreneurship Program too came to a highlight were they created products and organised a Mini Bazaar. 10 of the children too were trained to business pitch to the judges their parents faced. The judges were all impressed by our children who were able to articulate clearly their goals and business ideas. We see that this program have been a by-the-way blessing for this entire Program. Our beneficiaries’ children too were able to pick up transferable skills for their personal development.

Altogether, we had 17 presentations rooms and more than 100 volunteering judges who were industry experts, entrepreneurs, academics and even NGO leaders. Moreover, we also had 100 student volunteers came to help out in this event. We are truly thankful to all who contributed to the success of the event!

Yet, this is not the end, following the release of the results, more business classes and monitoring would be held to ensure that our beneficiaries truly benefit and are empowered to be better entrepreneurs from this program who could increase their earning power. So, we’re still looking for trainers and volunteers! For enquiries, contact us at taylors.community@taylors.edu.my!

200 PPR community members (Low income households), refugees, orang Asli and people with disabilities (PWD) will be presenting their business pitch and standing a chance to win business grants up to RM500,000. We would need coordinators, an impact manager and photographers to help smoothen this process and, encourage and motivate the participants.

Last Saturday, our 3rd Taylor’s-CIMB Islamic Entrepreneurship Program kick-started with almost 150 Entrepreneurs for Education Phase 1. Our students comprised of members from the PPR (low cost housing area) Community, singles parents and people with disabilities (PWD). The main objective for this Program remain, as teaching them to fish for themselves in a sustainable way in hopes to break the poverty cycle, covering 3 aspects including:

The students’ excitement and eagerness to learn and improve was evidently seen when they arrived 1 to 2 hours earlier than our class commencement time, lining up for registration. We were truly humbled and encouraged by their spirit and tenacity wanting to make a difference from themselves. The entire Education Phase will equip and empower them with the necessary knowledge and equipment to build a sustainable living for their families.

“Was the class helpful for the improvement of your business?”

Through the first class, they learnt about setting Business Objectives and Goals, and identifying Business Challenges and Risks. 99% of the members mentioned that these lessons were practical for the improvement of their business. Moreover, our entrepreneurs identified that the additional bonus about this program included having a strong networking system that motivates and encourages them to face challenges and succeed.

Overall, the first session was filled with positive energy and ended on a high note. We are really looking forward to what’s coming up next with this batch of students!

Our Entrepreneurship Program, Taylor’s-CIMB Islamic Program Keusahawanan is entering strong into our 3rd year, with a little more flare!

“Extended our programs to the disabled people and refugees”

Foremost, we are extending our programs to
the disabled people and the refugees. Moreover, we are including a mentorship
structured where alumni are brought back to motivate, guide and encourage the
new participants. This truly reflects the sustainability of this concept and
how it could alleviate poverty at the core of it, where we see those who were
helped are helping others now. Thirdly, we are officially introducing the mini
Entrepreneurship Program, Program Keushawanan (PK) mini for children 7-12 years
olds. This idea was initiated last year where parents found it hard to take
care of their children and at the same time attend our entrepreneurship classes.
Hence, Taylor’s Community implemented PK mini to address this issue, where programs
for children are ran concurrently with the classes for the adults.

Today, we interviewed 74 new potential
entrepreneurs for our program, from the PPR communities and the disabled
people. Tomorrow, we will be recruiting refugees too. Out of all our
interviewees, 100% of them indicated that they are excited and will be fully
committed to this program. Throughout our briefing session, their active
participation in asking questions and playing ice-breaking games reflected
their enthusiasm and seriousness towards the program.

Another highlight would definitely regard
our volunteers; we were very encouraged by the sharing of their experiences and
how they really appreciated the opportunity to serve the community and engaging
themselves with the children. All of them gave positive feedback and want to
help out in this program again.

Overall, it was a bright start of PK2019! To volunteer and for more information, email us at taylor.community@taylors.edu.my or follow us on Facebook @CSR at Taylor’s Education Group to find out more!

Our latest annual report brings about the main highlights of the year by solidifying the hourglass model in measuring impact for all our projects. Here, we also talk a little bit more on our 4 main focuses in 2020 and our project calendar for this year.

A project by Taylor’s Education Group Corporate Social Responsibility.